Logan Pass, Part 1

Logan Pass Visitor Center with Reynolds Mountain in the background on the evening of June 18, 2025

The National Park Service (NPS) opened Logan Pass to traffic on June 16^th. Logan Pass is where Going to the Sun Road (GTTS) crosses the Continental Divide. Every year clearing the road of snow and rocks is a major event, usually taking 8 to 10 weeks. Road crew managers estimate at least 12-15 avalanches hit the road each year. Signs and guard rails must be replaced. According to an interesting article in the Flathead Beacon from 2024, each year the NPS has taken to removing and replacing many of the squared-off boulders used as guard rails. I guess it is cheaper to shuttle them back and forth than to fashion and install new ones. (See https://flatheadbeacon.com/2024/05/31/as-plows-reach-logan-pass-glacier-parks-high-country-hangs-onto-winter/)

The Logan Pass Visitor Center is covered in snow, ice and fog in Glacier National Park on May 19, 2025. Hunter D’Antuono | Flathead Beacon

Perhaps one year I will arrive early enough to see some of this Herculean effort. For now, let’s travel back to June 2025. Logan Pass had open up to the public on Monday, June 16^th.  My first trip in 2025 to Logan Pass was on June 18^th. My heart was full of anticipation for what would unfold ahead. Approaching from the west side, the Garden Wall appeared in the distance between columns of Western Red Cedars and Hemlocks on one side and McDonald Creek on the other. Bubba Bear chugged along the straight aways and gentle curves that gradually gave way to sharper curves and steeper inclines. 

Going to the Sun Road yields glimpses of the Garden Wall in the distance. Bikers frequent the road. Those wanting the challenge of biking up and over the divide must achieve their goal within a limited time frame.

Rounding The Loop marks where the road begins to vary significantly in width. Sharp curves where rock outcrops create pinch points make you wonder if you are going to hit oncoming cars on one side or the rock barrier on the other that keeps you from plunging down the mountainside. I made a mental note to push in my side view mirrors at my next stop. And all along the vistas keep opening up the wonder of God’s Creation.  

Views from Going to the Sun Road. At the end when the truck stops 1) the Garden Wall (left side) 2) Mount Oberlin 3) Bird Woman Falls 4) Mount Cannon

The long warm days of May and June had melted away most of the massive banks of snow. An adventurous woman sledded down one remaining snow field on her bum as onlookers shared in her childlike delight. Wedding photographers led their brides and grooms onto the snow for the dramatic backdrops. I must say I was surprised to see on every trip to Logan Pass, several wedding couples scattered along the higher elevations of the route with a photographer. Watching a bride in high heels and a long white gown navigate a snowfield was a curiosity to say the least. 

Logan Pass Visitor Center. Late evening is relatively quiet compared to the packed parking lot and crowds most of the day.

Beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax) brightens a high elevation meadow along Going to the Sun Road, June 18, 2025
 

When I arrived at Logan Pass it was after 8PM. 
The shadow of Clements Mountain had nearly covered the pass. The photographer in me decided to head back down just a short distance to where the Beargrass was still enjoying the evening sun and the western mountains were falling into silhouettes. View to the northwest from Logan Pass as the evening sun drops behind mountain peaks. A sliver of McDonald Creek can be seen (center).

All photos, videos and text are Copyright ©Julia Flanagan unless otherwise noted.  All rights reserved.